How to Convert a Word Document to PDF
Turn a Word doc into a PDF in a few clicks with Save As, Export, or Print to PDF. Here's how on desktop, the web, and your phone, keeping links intact.
The cleanest way to turn a Word document into a PDF is File, Save As, and choose PDF from the “Save as type” list. That keeps your links and layout intact, unlike printing to PDF. Word on the web and the phone app can export a PDF too, so you are never stuck without it.
Save As or Export on the desktop
Two routes give the same result. File, Save As, pick a location, set Save as type to PDF, and Save. Or File, Export, Create PDF/XPS Document, then Create PDF/XPS — make sure the type is PDF, not XPS. Both preserve clickable hyperlinks; the Print to PDF method does not, so use Save As when links matter.
| Method | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Save As > PDF | Word desktop | Everyday, keeps links |
| Export > Create PDF/XPS | Word desktop | Same, with more options |
| Download as PDF | Word for the web | No desktop Word |
| Microsoft Print to PDF | Any Windows app | A quick PDF of anything |
On the web and on your phone
In Word for the web, open File, Export, Download as PDF (there is also Download as PDF with comments). In the Word mobile app, open the file, tap the Share or three-dot menu, and choose Share as PDF, which makes a PDF copy without touching the original. No Microsoft account at all? Upload the .docx to Google Docs and use File, Download, PDF Document — it keeps hyperlinks too.
Keep links, or shrink the file
Two things people ask for. To keep a clickable contents pane, use Save As, click Options, and under “Create bookmarks using” choose Headings. To make the PDF smaller, pick “Minimum size (publishing online)” in the Save As dialog instead of Standard, or compress the images first. Once it is a PDF you can compress it further, and the same Encrypt with Password step locks the Word file before you export it. If you ever need to go the other way, convert the PDF back to Word.
Save As to PDF covers almost every case and keeps your links working; reach for Print to PDF only for a quick throwaway copy. Choose Minimum size when the file has to travel by email.
Common questions
How do I keep hyperlinks and bookmarks in the PDF?
Use Save As or Export rather than Print — hyperlinks are preserved automatically. In the Save As dialog, click Options and set “Create bookmarks using” to Headings to build a clickable navigation pane in the PDF.
How do I make the PDF smaller?
In the Save As dialog choose “Minimum size (publishing online)” instead of Standard, or open Options and compress the images. A Print to PDF copy is often smaller too, though it drops clickable links.
How do I convert Word to PDF on my phone?
Open the file in the Microsoft Word app, tap the three-dot or Share menu, and choose Share as PDF. It creates a PDF copy and leaves the original Word file in place.
How do I convert without Microsoft Word?
Upload the .docx to Google Docs, then File, Download, PDF Document. Google Docs keeps the hyperlinks intact, and a reputable online converter works in a pinch.